Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Twins?

Since last Saturday, when I had mentioned struggling with some family
health issues, things had moved from crisis status to a more stable situation—but
last night, well, let’s just say it was a difficult night.

Difficult enough to make me lose all ability to think. Or
write.

Considering how therapeutic the writing task can actually be
for me, that is saying quite a bit. But that’s the way it was. I didn’t want to
not write. But I couldn’t actually
sit down and write.

So I chose a different approach. I reached into what seems
to be the bottomless pit of unidentified family memorabilia in Bill Bean’s box
of photographs, and pulled out one that makes me smile.

I hadn’t planned to ever post this picture—mainly because I
have absolutely no clue who two of these people are. And, of course, there is
no label on the reverse.

Well, that is not entirely true. As it turns out, the
photograph, which was once pasted into an album, then subsequently torn out,
has a layer of paper obliterating all but two letters of a handwritten
identification.

All that’s left me now are the first two letters: “No—”

The woman in the middle I can safely say is Bill’s sister,
Leona Bean Grant. As for her smiling young escorts, I have absolutely no idea
of their identity.

While I am no expert at dating cars by the changes in a
model’s appearance over the years, at least that is not the only clue to rely on in this photograph. I can guess that the picture was taken in
the 1960s, judging by the hair style of the two women.

Although these two strike me as possibly being twins, they
are likely just sisters of a more average variety.

Yes, I agree with the photo dating, the car appears to be a mid- to late-1960s model. And yes, Leona is telling the photographer something (hopefully like "Bill, this will be the perfect picture!"

The car looks to me to be a 1965-ish Cadillac Coupe de Ville.

I wish there was a way to send comfort via words on a computer screen - and if there is, it probably takes a much better writer than I will ever be - but I hope you and yours find some peace of mind and a happy kind of serenity in the next day or so, a moment to "restore and refurbish" the soul, and then have some of the routine-est of routine for a few days - followed by a happy adventure to some place you never explored before... perhaps even enjoy a brick wall break through.

My dad says this is a 1966-1968 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. In 1969, they changed the headlights to side by side. In 1965, the light in the fender in front of the wheel was in a chrome backing, which they dispense with in 1966. In 1967 and 1968, the added emphasis to a crease running at the door lock level (you can see it in this photo: http://www.americandreamcars.com/1968coupedeville013011.htm) He and I can't tell if there is a crease on this car or if it's just a blemish in the photo.

We are 99% sure this is a 1966... as you can see here:http://www.motortopia.com/cars/1966-cadillac-coupe-deville-15575

Oh those purses..very fashionable, especially the tapestry one Leona has! I will guess it is a Mother on the left and a daughter on the right. 60's hair for sure..I will guess 1967. I used to have one of those shirts that the daughter is wearing..with the stuff around the collar and the fancy sleeves.Sending you a hug from Minnesota:)

Thank you, Debi. Of course, it's been a while since I've been able to respond to comments here...but that gives the space for improvement, too. (Thinking positively, here!) You know how health issues go: up and down...but mainly up at this point, thankfully!

Thank you so much, Smadar! And I look forward to having the liberty to return to pursuing research, too. I haven't forgotten your excellent suggestion, and will follow through once things settle down for the family.

Yes, it's time for something lighter. Good choice. I would guess the sixties, judging from the car and the bangs on the two younger women. I like the way they are escorting the older woman -- very friendly.

I was figuring mid-60s, and then read the knowledgeable car info. Yep. And they could be sisters, but I suspect they are mother and daughter, as Far Side Of Fifty suggested. And I suspect that the older woman is saying something like "You..."Maybe cussing out the photographer in a gentile way. Maybe he had an interesting suggestion in place of "Say Cheese"

I believe I know this neighborhood. I think the young woman on the right is Marilyn Bean. If that's her mother, Mrs. Lincoln, on the left, she is looking very young to me, but I knew her only as a very elderly woman. She babysat me when I was 4 - 5 years old. She had a large stuffed owl in her den, with big, staring eyes, guaranteed not to let a little kid sleep.

The houses behind are (I am pretty sure) are R - L the O'Shaunnessy's, the Beckman's, and the Rogers'. The car is in the Beans' driveway. The photo was taken looking Southeast.

I hope you are in much better circumstances now. I am sorry that I am "late to the discussion."

About Me

It is my contention that, after a lifetime, one of the greatest needs people have is to be remembered. They want to know: have I made a difference?
I write because I can't keep for myself the gifts others have entrusted to me. Through what I've already been given--though not forgetting those to whom I must pass this along--from family I receive my heritage; through family I leave a legacy. With family I weave a tapestry. These are my strands.